United moving forward with Aer Lingus.
10-09-2009 | 01:07 PM
#1
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Che Guevara
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United moving forward with Aer Lingus.
I'm saying a prayer for ALPA on this one.
CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--United Airlines said Wednesday it will press ahead with a controversial plan to outsource some international flying to Aer Lingus (EIL1.DB) despite further cutbacks at the Irish carrier.
The airlines announced an "innovative" plan last January that would see Aer Lingus operate flights from Madrid to the U.S. beginning in March on behalf of United, but using Aer Lingus planes.
Aer Lingus said Wednesday that it will cut a sixth of its workforce and is reviewing its remaining longhaul operation as part of a broader restructuring to stem losses.
United, a unit of UAL Corp. (UAUA), said the move did not affect the planned joint venture. "There is no change to our relationship with Aer Lingus," a United spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The expanded alliance has drawn fierce criticism from unions at both airlines as the new flights would be operated by "outside" employees.
Aer Lingus confirmed in February that it was recruiting separate pilots and cabin crew to staff the venture, despite lay-offs and furloughs at both airlines.
A spokesman for the United Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association said the group was studying the cost-cutting news from Aer Lingus, and had no immediate comment Wednesday.
United and Aer Lingus said they plan to work together to share revenue and costs, in a partnership that could be closer than a typical airline alliance, which they already have.
-By Ann Keeton; Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4120; [email protected]
The airlines announced an "innovative" plan last January that would see Aer Lingus operate flights from Madrid to the U.S. beginning in March on behalf of United, but using Aer Lingus planes.
Aer Lingus said Wednesday that it will cut a sixth of its workforce and is reviewing its remaining longhaul operation as part of a broader restructuring to stem losses.
United, a unit of UAL Corp. (UAUA), said the move did not affect the planned joint venture. "There is no change to our relationship with Aer Lingus," a United spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The expanded alliance has drawn fierce criticism from unions at both airlines as the new flights would be operated by "outside" employees.
Aer Lingus confirmed in February that it was recruiting separate pilots and cabin crew to staff the venture, despite lay-offs and furloughs at both airlines.
A spokesman for the United Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association said the group was studying the cost-cutting news from Aer Lingus, and had no immediate comment Wednesday.
United and Aer Lingus said they plan to work together to share revenue and costs, in a partnership that could be closer than a typical airline alliance, which they already have.
-By Ann Keeton; Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4120; [email protected]
10-09-2009 | 01:09 PM
#2
APC co-founder
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From: B777
CHICAGO, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Airlines' acknowledgement that it will continue pursuing an "innovative" arrangement with Aer Lingus despite both airlines laying off employees is an insult to employees on both sides of the Atlantic, according to the pilots of United Airlines.
Last January, United announced an agreement with Aer Lingus that it will operate flights between Washington, D.C. and Madrid using non-United pilots on the flights. The arrangement is simply a clever way of outsourcing flying to a foreign carrier, according to the pilots.
It has been announced that Aer Lingus plans on cutting a sixth of its workforce. United quickly replied that Aer Lingus' cutbacks won't affect its unprecedented outsourcing scheme in the Washington-to-Madrid arrangement with Aer Lingus.
"It is simply unconscionable to see how management can continue to stab the very people in the back who have made this airline fly," said Captain Steve Wallach, chairman of the United Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association. "With United's plans to furlough nearly 1,500 pilots and siphon marketing money from its own operation to pour into this venture, it is inexcusable for this same management team to turn around and utilize non-United pilots to fly the Washington-to-Madrid route.
"United has made claims that they can't operate this route themselves because they claim it isn't profitable. Yet, they have refused to meet with the employees to see how United can make this route profitable. ALPA has made several attempts to work with United management to save pilot jobs and to prevent such ventures as the United/Aer Lingus arrangement. We have been rebuffed at every turn. United management obviously has no interest in keeping Washington/Madrid a United flight."
Captain Wallach says United claims the arrangement with Aer Lingus will enhance revenue for the corporation, which in turn would provide a more secure future for the employees of the airline. Captain Wallach says such an attitude flies in the face of reality, considering the number of lost jobs that will result.
"It may be revenue-positive for the corporation but it's certainly not revenue-positive for the pilots and other employees whose jobs will be outsourced," said Captain Wallach.
The Air Line Pilots Association has launched a legislative campaign to ensure that U.S. airline workers are treated fairly in alliances between U.S. and foreign carriers. ALPA is seeking legislation that would guarantee that U.S. airlines do a reasonable share of the international flying conducted by the airlines that seek antitrust immunity for such revenue-sharing ventures as the UAL/Aer Lingus arrangement.
Last January, United announced an agreement with Aer Lingus that it will operate flights between Washington, D.C. and Madrid using non-United pilots on the flights. The arrangement is simply a clever way of outsourcing flying to a foreign carrier, according to the pilots.
It has been announced that Aer Lingus plans on cutting a sixth of its workforce. United quickly replied that Aer Lingus' cutbacks won't affect its unprecedented outsourcing scheme in the Washington-to-Madrid arrangement with Aer Lingus.
"It is simply unconscionable to see how management can continue to stab the very people in the back who have made this airline fly," said Captain Steve Wallach, chairman of the United Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association. "With United's plans to furlough nearly 1,500 pilots and siphon marketing money from its own operation to pour into this venture, it is inexcusable for this same management team to turn around and utilize non-United pilots to fly the Washington-to-Madrid route.
"United has made claims that they can't operate this route themselves because they claim it isn't profitable. Yet, they have refused to meet with the employees to see how United can make this route profitable. ALPA has made several attempts to work with United management to save pilot jobs and to prevent such ventures as the United/Aer Lingus arrangement. We have been rebuffed at every turn. United management obviously has no interest in keeping Washington/Madrid a United flight."
Captain Wallach says United claims the arrangement with Aer Lingus will enhance revenue for the corporation, which in turn would provide a more secure future for the employees of the airline. Captain Wallach says such an attitude flies in the face of reality, considering the number of lost jobs that will result.
"It may be revenue-positive for the corporation but it's certainly not revenue-positive for the pilots and other employees whose jobs will be outsourced," said Captain Wallach.
The Air Line Pilots Association has launched a legislative campaign to ensure that U.S. airline workers are treated fairly in alliances between U.S. and foreign carriers. ALPA is seeking legislation that would guarantee that U.S. airlines do a reasonable share of the international flying conducted by the airlines that seek antitrust immunity for such revenue-sharing ventures as the UAL/Aer Lingus arrangement.
10-09-2009 | 01:43 PM
#4
seeing the country...
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: 73N A
I don't know the details, but apparently there is a section of their scope that allows United to use alliance members (ie, Star Alliance) to fly these kinds of routes.
10-09-2009 | 02:17 PM
#5
Line Holder
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This is no different than what happened to , or is happening to Midwest. This is because management has found a way around scope, it is called a code-share. With no limitation on code-share, they can and will use who ever they decide to partner with. Midwest has tried to fight this, how ever it is in EVERYONE's contract, the arbitrator said this was not a scope issue, but a code share. ALPA was unable to fix this and we are all furloughed, but the name continues. This could be the TOTAL dismantling of our futures.
Last edited by Bear392; 10-09-2009 at 02:50 PM.
10-09-2009 | 03:11 PM
#7
Working Class Dog
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From: Spares Pusher
10-09-2009 | 03:34 PM
#9
A moment please...
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From: Just passin' thru
10-09-2009 | 03:58 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
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From: MD-11 FO
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